Bhajagovindam English Translation

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 Bhaja Govindam (Think of Govinda-- Krishna) was a great composition of Adi Shankara, written in the 9th century CE. This composition was immortalised into music by the famous M S Subbulakshmi, and her renditions are widely played today. 

Here is an English translation of the composition by Ramesh Krishnakumar, which I encountered today and thought of sharing through my channels. The translation written in red is my translation from my understanding.



Bhajagovindam bhajagovindam .. O, Worship Govinda, O worship Govinda..... Govindam bhaja muudhamadhe ...Let Govinda be the object of your worship... O ignorant one.... Bhajagovindam bhajagovindam O, Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda ... govindam bhajamuudhamate . ...Let Govinda be the object of your worship... O ignorant one....

sampraapte sannihite kaale
..when the time of death comes..
... regain real happiness at least at the end of your time (death)....

nahi nahi rakshati dukrijnkarane ....your knowledge of grammar (worldly wisdom) will not save you.... mudha jahiihi dhana agama trishhnaam ...O foolish one, give up your craving to amass wealth.... kuru sadbuddhim manasi vi trishhnaam. ... Be desirous in your mind to act with good sense ..... yallabhase nija karmo paattam ... whatever you obtain by your duty ("nija karma" honest actions) .... vittam tena vinodaya chittam ... be content with that earning. .... yaavad vitto paar jana saktah ... as long as one is earning and is healthy..... staavan nija parivaaro raktah ... he will be supported the family..... Pashcha ajjiivati jarjara dehe ... but later when one is without earnings and old in the body ..... vaartaam koapi na prichchhati gehe ... there may be none to even enquire in the house..... bhagavad giitaa kijnchid adhiitaa ... study a portion from the Bhagavad Gita as a least ..... gangaa jalalava kanikaa piitaa ... drink a drop of the ganga water ..... sakridapi yena muraari samarchaa ... worship Lord Krishna (Murari) even once ..... kriyate tasya yamena na charchaa ... then the Lord of death will not have an argument about you ..... punarapi jananam punarapi maranam ... there is, birth again and again, there is, death again and again ..... punarapi jananii jathare shayanam ... one has to lay in a mother's womb, again and again ..... iha samsaare bahudu staare ... one has to struggle in this ocean of life ..... Kripayaa apaare paahi muraare ... Protect me with boundless compassion, O Krishna,..... artham anartham bhaavaya nityam ... Remember that wealth seeking is always purposeless..... naastitatah sukha leshah satyam ... the truth is that one cannot derive sustained happiness from it..... putraadapi dhana bhaajaam bhiitih ... ones who are after money even fear their sons..... sarvatra ishhaa vihiaa riitih ... that is the way of wealth always.....


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